Parents use Facebook and send 600 texts a year to keep track of children

Britain’s parents are turning to technology to keep a track of their kids and try to maintain family connections.

According to a recent National Family Week (NFW) survey of 5,000 mums and dads, the average parent sends 600 text messages and 312 emails per year in an effort to ensure their children are safe.

A fifth of parents believe they stand a better chance of connecting with their children through technology (AFP/Getty)

The statistics show that a fifth of parents believe they stand a better chance of talking to their kids through technology, despite the fact that 17 per cent say mobile phones impact upon cherished family time.

This is perhaps why almost two-fifths (39 per cent) of parents have a rule that no phones or gadgets are allowed at the table during dinner.

One worrying statistic highlighted in the research was that the average family typically spends less than two-and-a-half hours together per week.

NFW spokesman Nick Henry explained that it is ‘inevitable’ that kids will get preoccupied with technology and ‘natural’ that their social habits change as they age.

‘Having to contact your children and immediate family through texts, e-mails and social networking sites to track them down is just a consequence of modern life,’ he said.

‘It could be argued that twenty years ago it would be harder to keep track of the family throughout the day as so few of us were contactable like we are now.’

National Family Week takes place from today (May 30th) until June 5th.